GEORGE WEST – The failure of a part was the cause of the fire at Key Energy Services on Jan. 13.

Jimmy Hernandez, district manager of the Key yard on U.S. 281 just north of George West, said a fixture on a high pressure line failed, causing saltwater with a layer of petroleum substances mixed in to flow into the containment area, which brought it in contact with electrical equipment. That sparked the fire.

As a result of the investigation, Key is implementing a nationwide preventative maintenance program, where all such facilities will be inspected.

Also, the company will change the way such facilities are built, moving electrical equipment out of the containment area.

Hernandez said the site is still to be cleaned up, but it will be rebuilt.

The fire, which started about 6:30 a.m., sent plumes of thick black smoke skyward, smoke that could be seen from miles away.

Firefighters from George West and Three Rivers worked the scene, but did not actively fight the fire, opting instead to let it burn itself out.

After the main blaze was out, firefighters had to return to the scene several times in the afternoon and evening, as Fiberglass remnants of the tanks reignited.